Benefits for older people

Transcription

1 Benefits for older people A guide to: PENSION CREDIT STATE RETIREMENT PENSION HOUSING BENEFIT/COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT CARERS ALLOWANCE INCOME MAXIMISATION WELFARE RIGHTS GARDEN ASSISTANCE CARE AND REPAIR SCHEME ASSISTANCE FOR DEAF, HARD OF HEARING AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED RESIDENTS HOME CARE SERVICES TRAVEL CONCESSIONS TV LICENCES PRESCRIPTIONS WINTER FUEL PAYMENT ENERGY ASSISTANCE ADVICE

2 CONTENTS Your comments on the benefits leaflet for older people We are always looking for ways to improve this leaflet and we value your feedback. If you have any comments please write to: Benefits Section, East Renfrewshire Council, FREEPOST SCO1740, Glasgow G46 6WY. All details correct at time of going to print 4 PENSION CREDIT 5 STATE RETIREMENT PENSION 6 HOUSING BENEFIT/COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION 6 ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE 7 DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE 8 CARERS ALLOWANCE 8 INCOME MAXIMISATION 9 MONEY ADVICE 9 WELFARE RIGHTS 9 GARDEN ASSISTANCE 10 MR DIGGIT 11 CARE AND REPAIR RENFREWSHIRE SMALL REPAIRS SERVICE 11 ADAPTATIONS 12 TV LICENCES 12 ASSISTANCE FOR DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING RESIDENTS 13 ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT 13 ERC HOME CARE SERVICE 14 PRESCRIPTIONS 14 BUS AND RAIL TRAVEL 15 HOME ENERGY SCOTLAND 16 WINTER FUEL PAYMENT 17 FURTHER INFORMATION 18 USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS 19 GETTING IN TOUCH 2 3

3 PENSION CREDIT There are two types of Pension Credit, Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit is for those people who have reached the minimum qualifying age and Savings Credit is for those aged 65 or over. Guarantee Credit If you live in Great Britain and have reached the minimum qualifying age, you may be entitled to Guarantee Credit. This guarantees a minimum weekly amount by topping up your weekly income to: if you are single and if you have a partner These amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments. The age from which you can qualify for Guarantee Credit is gradually increasing from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and April If you have reached the qualifying age but your partner is under the qualifying age you can still claim. If you and your partner are both over the qualifying age either one of you can apply. Savings Credit - age 65 or over If you are aged 65 or over and living in Great Britain you may be entitled to Savings Credit. You may get Savings Credit if you: are aged 65 or over have made some provision towards your retirement such as savings or a second pension If you have a partner, at least one of you must be 65 or over to get Savings Credit. Savings Credit can be up to: a week if you are single a week if you have a partner You may still get Savings Credit even if the money you have coming in is about: 192 a week if you are single 278 a week if you have a partner These amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments. Call The Pension Service application line on freephone or text phone Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. If you have internet access, you can get further information at: STATE RETIREMENT PENSION The current State Pension scheme will be replaced with the new State Pension which will be a regular payment from the government that you can claim if you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April Most people build up some State Pension, but the amount each individual will receive will vary. When are you able to claim State Pension? You can claim your State Pension once you reach State Pension age. You do not have to claim it straight away and you can increase the amount you get if you put off claiming it. For men born before 6 December 1953, the current State Pension age is 65. For women born after 5 April 1950 but before 6 December 1953, the State Pension age is between 60 and 65. Under the Pension Act 2011 women s State Pension age will increase more quickly to 65 between April 2016 and November From December 2018 the State Pension Age for both men and women will start to increase to reach 66 in October How is your State Pension worked out? The amount of State Pension you get depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance you have built up. You can do this by paying National Insurance contributions, or you may get National Insurance credited to you by the government. 4 5

4 Will you get more than the basic State Pension? The State Pension is made up of two parts, the basic State Pension and the additional State Pension. Additional state pension is dependent on your National Insurance record and what you earned while you were working, it is because of this that different people will get different amounts. Claiming State Pension The Pension Service should automatically send you a State Pension Information booklet and invite you to claim four months before you reach State Pension age. Call the Pension Service on to claim State Retirement Pension. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm. If you have internet access, you can get further information at: HOUSING BENEFIT/ COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION Even if you are not eligible for pension credit you may still qualify for help with your rent and/or council tax. However, if you have savings or capital of over 16,000 you will not qualify for either housing benefit or council tax reduction. Please contact Customer First on for an application form or for further advice. ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE If you are aged 65 or over and you need help with your personal care at any time of the day or night, you can claim attendance allowance. For example, you may need help washing, dressing, getting out of bed or you may not be safe if left on your own for any length of time. The amount of your income or savings will not affect your claim. Call our Income Maximisation Officers on or benefithealthcheck@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk and quote benefits health check. If you have access to the Internet, you can get more information from: DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE Disability Living Allowance - sometimes referred to as DLA - is a tax-free benefit for disabled children and adults who need someone to help look after them, or have walking difficulties. The Council s Income Maximisation Team is happy to assist you with completing the DLA form and will provide advice and help for applying for DLA. Call our Income Maximisation Officers on or benefithealthcheck@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk From 10 June 2013, a new benefit called personal independence payment (PIP) was introduced to replace disability living allowance (DLA) for people of working age (16-64). Children under 16 will continue to claim DLA, and people over 65 can claim Attendance Allowance. From October 2013, if you are aged between 16 and 65 and you report a change in your condition, you will have to apply for PIP instead. To make a new claim please contact the DWP on the PIP new claims number (textphone ). If you are unable to deal with the DWP over the phone, or can t get help to make the initial claim, you can request that the DWP post a paper PIP claim form to you to capture the basic information needed. If you receive DLA and were aged between 16 and 64 on 8 April 2013, you will eventually have to make a claim for PIP instead, even if you have been given an indefinite or lifetime award for DLA. At some point between January 2014 and March 2016 you will be contacted by DWP and invited to claim PIP. When you claim PIP your DLA will continue to be paid until the PIP claim has been decided, but if you do not make a claim for PIP within 28 days your DLA will be suspended. For more information visit 6 7

5 CARERS ALLOWANCE If you are a carer you may be able to claim carers allowance. You can do this if you: provide 35 hours of care per week earn less than per week work less than 16 hours per week This may reduce certain benefits for the person you care for. Call our Income Maximisation Officers on or incomemaximisationofficers@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk for advice or help applying for carers allowance. The East Renfrewshire Carers Centre offers information and support for carers. For more information contact: enquiries@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk Telephone: The Gatehouse, Eastwood Park, Giffnock G46 6UG If you have access to the internet you can get more information from: or INCOME MAXIMISATION Are you getting all the money you are entitled to? Our Income Maximisation staff can carry out a free benefits health check to ensure you are receiving the correct benefits. Staff will assist you with completing forms. A home visiting service is also available. Call our Income Maximisation officers on or benefithealthcheck@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk and quote benefits health check. MONEY ADVICE The Money Advice Team offers free, confidential, professional and practical advice on money matters. They help people resolve problems with any type of debt. You can visit them at the Council Offices, 211 Main Street, Barrhead or call free on or money@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or text money and your name to Freetext Drop in services are available (no appointment needed) at Barrhead Council Offices, 211 Main Street every Wednesday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm Eastwood HQ, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock (second and fourth Thursday of every month) from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm WELFARE RIGHTS Welfare Rights Officers can assist you to challenge benefit decisions and represent you at appeals. If you require assistance or representation at appeals, please contact our welfare right officers on GARDEN ASSISTANCE The garden assistance scheme provides help to maintain your garden. The assistance includes: grass cutting, approximately once every 6 weeks, during April to September. two hedge cuts per year. Garden assistance is available to you if: your property is rated Council Tax Band D or less; and you are a tenant of the Council or a Housing Association OR an owner/occupier; and you are aged 65 years or over, with no-one between the ages of 17 and 65 living in the property who is physically able to maintain the garden; OR you are aged 17 years or over and physically unable to maintain the garden AND have no-one between the ages of 17 and 65 living in the house who is able to maintain the garden. 8 9

6 If there is anyone between the ages of 17 and 65 living in the property, you will be required to produce a medical certificate for each of these people. If you wish to apply for garden assistance call Customer First on or customerservices@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or visit You must apply for the garden assistance scheme annually. If you are already receiving the service we will write to you annually asking you to re-apply. MR DIGGIT The Mr Diggit Garden Tidy Scheme is offered on a one visit per year basis providing help to tidy your garden. Under the scheme we can cut your back and front grass and cut and trim any hedges less than six feet tall. Mr Diggit is available to you if: the property is rated Council Tax Band E or above; and you are a tenant of the council or a Housing Association or owner/occupier; and you are aged 65 years or over, with no one between the ages of 17 and 65 living in the property who is physically able to maintain the garden - If there is anyone between the ages of 17 and 65 living in the property, you will be required to produce a medical certificate for each of these people in the event they are unable to undertake the work. If you would like to put your name forward for the scheme (you must do this annually) or obtain further information please contact /3783. CARE AND REPAIR RENFREWSHIRE SMALL REPAIRS SERVICE If you are aged 60 or over, or have a disability, live in East Renfrewshire and need a small repair (available to home owners and private tenants) or a handyperson task (available to all residents) carried out in your home, then maybe we can help. These are free services which aim to help people who cannot afford the cost of small repairs around their home or who find it difficult to get a contractor to carry out this minor work or who are unable to manage handyperson tasks around their home. The scheme provides qualified staff to carry out the work and the client is only asked to pay for the cost of materials. These services can assist with repair/replacing broken shelves, fitting curtain rails, repair/replacing door handles, replacing tap washers, unblocking sinks, changing light bulbs, installing smoke alarms and many other jobs. If you need some help in your home, please contact Care and Repair Renfrewshire on , or enquiries.carerepair@bridgewaterha.org.uk ADAPTATIONS Owner Occupiers and Private Tenants may be eligible for financial assistance with adaptations to their home. Residents must be assessed by an Occupational Therapist and classed as eligible, and in priority need (in line with the Council s Scheme of Assistance) copies available at eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/private-sector-housing Council Tenants and Housing Association Tenants should contact their Landlord for further information on assistance. To arrange an assessment please contact East Renfrewshire Council s Occupational Therapy team on: For further information on practical or financial assistance please contact the Private Sector Housing Officer on: or privatesectorhousing@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk 10 11

7 TV LICENCES TV licences are free for households which include a person aged 75 or over. To claim your free licence call TV licensing on ASSISTANCE FOR DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING RESIDENTS The deaf and hard of hearing service provides a range of services for residents in East Renfrewshire who are deaf or hard of hearing. The service includes: Identifying a suitable package of adaptations and technical aids to maximise daily independent living skills. Providing comprehensive information and advice on the wide range of services available for deaf and hard of hearing people and their family/friends. Advice on communication support services for deaf and hard of hearing people and their family/friends to reduce their social isolation. Support/advice on benefit entitlement. Raising awareness of various national and local organisations with a specific remit to support deaf and hard of hearing people and the parents/friends, and carers of deaf people. For further information on these services please contact: Customer First, phone: Tony Forry, East Renfrewshire CHCP, Clarkston Clinic, 56/60 Busby Road, Clarkston G76 7AP Phone: Textphone: (18002) tony.forry@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT The visual impairment service can provide information, advice and practical support to people who are experiencing sight loss. This service includes: Information and help with your benefits. Information and advice on the benefits of registering blind or partially sighted. Equipment to help with independence, such as talking watches/clocks. Arranging travel cards, access to talking books and other support services. Rehabilitation training by qualified staff to increase mobility, daily living and communication skills. For more information on this service contact: Customer First - phone: or Contact the Visual Impairment Team directly on or visit our office at 3 Burnfield Avenue, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire G46 7TT. Textphone: ERC HOME CARE SERVICE The home care service helps people to remain in their own home, providing comfort and security. Once your needs have been assessed staff will draw up a care plan for you and in partnership with you decide how best your needs can be met. You can organise an assessment for the service through Customer First, phone: Or for residents in Barrhead, Neilston, Uplawmoor areas: Visit our office at Barrhead Health Centre, 213 Main Street, Barrhead G78 1SW For residents in the Eastwood area: Visit our office at Clarkston Clinic, 56 Clarkston Road, Clarkston G76 7BN 12 13

8 PRESCRIPTIONS From 1 April 2011, everyone in Scotland is entitled to free prescriptions. BUS AND RAIL TRAVEL National Entitlement Card Anyone aged 60 and over, and many disabled people are entitled to free bus travel on both local registered services and long-distance bus services within Scotland, provided they have applied for and received their free NationalEntitlement Card. For more information visit: Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme For concessionary travel within the Strathclyde area and on the Glasgow Subway you need to have a Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme Card. These are available from SPT and offer reduce fares on ScotRail services which start and finish within the scheme s boundaries. Concessionary travel is also available on local ferries. For more information visit: For more information please call our Customer Services Team on or nec@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or visit: HOME ENERGY SCOTLAND If you are finding your energy bills high Home Energy Scotland can help. Home Energy Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government, provides clear and impartial advice to help make homes cheaper to heat. Home Energy Scotland is a network of local advice centres, funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by the Energy Saving Trust that provides free, impartial advice and information to help people save money on energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and use water more sustainably. Ways Home Energy Scotland can help include: Free energy advice to help reduce your energy bills The best options to make your home more energy efficient Help with benefit and tax credit checks Help to access the lowest cost energy rates from your energy supplier Information about UK and Scottish Government energy efficiency grants and schemes Home Visits with Advisor providing tailor made advice on energy efficiency and energy saving measures Phone Home Energy Scotland for free impartial advice on (number is free of charge including mobiles)

9 WINTER FUEL PAYMENT If you have reached the qualifying age you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay towards keeping warm in winter. For winter 2015/16 this can be between 100 and 300 depending on your situation. Are you eligible to claim? You can claim a Winter Fuel Payment if you are of qualifying age and normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September Qualifying age is if you were born on or before the 5 July You will not qualify for Winter Fuel payment if, during the qualifying week of 19 to 25 September you are in hospital or have spent more than 52 weeks previously, getting free treatment as an inpatient you are in custody serving a court sentence you are subject to immigration control and do not qualify for help from the DWP you are living in a care home or an independent hospital and are receiving Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. How to claim You should automatically get the Winter Fuel payment if: you got a Winter Fuel payment last year (2014/15) and you still meet the qualifying conditions as stated above you get State Pension or other DWP benefit (not Child Benefit, Housing or Council Tax Benefit) in the qualifying week. Otherwise, if you think you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, then you need to apply. Call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on If you have internet access, you can get further information by visiting: You can get more information on any of the items in this leaflet from: Income Maximisation Officers Council Offices, 211 Main Street, Barrhead, Phone: / benefithealthcheck@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk and quote benefits health check Age Scotland (previously Age Concern and Help the Aged) Phone contact your local Age Scotland, or visit: East Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Main Street Barrhead G78 1SN National Pensioners Convention Walkden House, 10 Melton Street London NW1 2EJ Phone: East Renfrewshire Council Welfare rights services Money Advice Team Council Offices, 211 Main Street, Barrhead Phone: Freephone: money@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk Pension Credit please write to Pension Service, PO Box 5, Glasgow G90 8BE Phone: East Renfrewshire Carers Centre The Gatehouse, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock G46 6UG Phone: enquiries@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk For energy advice - free advice about energy efficiency grants and tariffs - Freephone

10 USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS Income maximisation /3071 General council enquiries (all services including blue badges, pest control, special uplifts, refuse enquiries) Council tax enquiries Mr diggit /3783 Care and Repair (those people aged 60 or over or who have a disability and are eligible, will be offered access to a free small repair or handyperson service, including changing light bulbs and unblocking sinks. This is non-means tested.) Garden assistance Social work Social work emergency standby service out of hours Homecare Childcare helpline Report a roads or street lighting fault (office hours) (evenings or weekends) Ring and report (loud music, graffiti, dog fouling) Money advice Consumer advice Transco gas emergency helpline Scottish Water Helpline Traveline - public transport information (7.00am to 10.00pm) Here are the ways you can get in touch with the benefits service. Opening hours: We are open from Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. By letter: Benefits Section, Corporate and Community Services Department, Barrhead Council Offices, 211 Main Street, Barrhead, East Renfrewshire G78 1SY. By phone: Phone: In person: Visit Customer Service Officers at Barrhead Council Offices, Main Street, Barrhead, G78 1SY and at Council Headquarters, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, G46 6UG (no appointment necessary). benefits@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk Website: Income Maximisation: Income Maximisation staff can carry out a free benefits health check to ensure you are receiving the correct benefits. Staff will assist you with completing forms. Phone: benefithealthcheck@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk and quote benefits health check. Money Advice: The Money Advice Team offers free, confidential, professional and practical advice on money matters. You can visit them at the Council Offices, 211 Main Street, Barrhead or call free on or money@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or text money and your name to Freetext

11 This leaflet can be provided in other languages and is available in alternative formats such as large print or Braille. Please contact Customer First on